Role of Language

1. Nature and Development of

Language
2. Structure of Language
3. Language and Culture
4. Nonverbal Communication

Nature and Development of

Language
Nature of Language-a symbolic system
of sounds that when put together a
certain way convey meaning.
Some words have totally arbitrary
meaning.
*i.e. Cow-doesn't have anything to do
with four-footed animal that gives milk.

Diversity of Language
Linguists estimate that
approximately 6,000 discrete
languages exist.
Examples:
Indo-European 150 languages.
Amerind over 600 languages

Indo-European

Amerind

CommunicationHuman vs. Non-human

Open and Closed Systems
Open system-humans can put different
sounds together to make new meanings.
Infinite amount of messages.
Closed system-when an animal cannot
combine elements of two or more calls
in order to develop a new call.

Displacement
human characteristic to convey
information about a thing or event that
is not immediately present.

Teaching non-human primates sign

language.
Chimpanzees
http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/bios/main_bio.
htm

Gorillas
http://www.koko.org/friends/index.html

Also, bonobos (pygmy chimps) computer

communication skills.
http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwlrc/biographies/pbp
z.html

Development of Language
Early Hypotheses Egyptian pharaoh reared two infants without
letting them hear any voices, figured they would
speak original language.
King James IV of Scotland tried the same thing
and said thy spoke hebrew-go along with biblical
scholars.
Swedish philospher of 17th century believed
otherwise. In the Garden of Eden-God spoke
Swedish, Adam and Eve spke Danish, and the
serpent spoke French.

Development of Language
Scientific hypothesesHuman language requires that the
larynx be farther down in the throat
than other primates.
Archaeologically this is hard to
preserve, muscle and cartilidge.
Broca's area of the brain-sets speech
aparatus in motion.

Evolution of speech
Very gradual, but probably came with H.
Erectus (ca. 1mya) for several reasons.
position of larynx assoc with flexion at
base of skull, skull with flat base assoc
with high larynx as in primates.

Australopithecus-flat base, H. habilis

not enough evidence, H. erectus some
flexion, Archaic H. sapiens full
flexion.

Structure of Language
Building blocks of language-phonology and
grammar.
Phonology-sounds of a language, individual
sounds are called phonemes.
Grammar-rules unique to each language.
Governed by two aspects: Morphology and Syntax.
Morphology-the combination of phonemes to form
meaningful units. These units are morphemes-the
smallest units of speech that convey meaning.
Syntax-the principles guiding how these words are
arranged into phrases and sentences.

Language and Culture

Culture influences language-particularly with
vocabularly, any language will emphasize important
words.
Language influences culture-or even determines a
culture, actually shapes our thoughts and perceptions.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Sociolinguistics
The study of how people speak to one another in any given
society. The relationship between language and social
structure.
Diglossia
Dialects

Nonverbal Communication
Hand Gestures-we use them everyday,
gesturing while we're talking or pointing.
Some are cross-cultural, others are notsuch as OK symbol.
Eye Contact-varies from culture to culture.
U.S./Japan/Arabic groups
Touching-Some cultures are high-touch, while
others are low-touch. High-touch=E.
Europeans, Jews, and Arabs. Low-touch=N.
Europeans such as Germans and Scandinavians.

American Gestures
COMMON GESTURES
Americans are a not touch (touch/not touch)oriented.
In normal social situations, Americans generally stand
about 30 inches apart from one another, which is also
considered their personal "comfort zone."
At sporting events or the theater, Americans usually
slide into a crowded aisle while facing forward
(forward/the people).

RIGHT, WRONG, OR RUDE

Handshake - Although generally adopted around the world. Southeast Asians press
together; Japanese bow; Middle Easterners and many Asians favor a gently grip.
DIRECT EYE CONTACT - Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indians, African American,
Native Americans considered it to be rude, or disrespectful, or intimidating, or may
indicate sexual overtones.
WAVING - "No" to most Europeans. Europeans raise the arm and "Bob" the hand up and
down at the wrist."
BECKONING - Europeans and Asians raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a
scratching motion with fingers. In Australia and in Indonesia, curling the index finger is
used for beckoning animals.
"V" FOR VICTORY--In England, palm facing inward toward the face is an obscene
gesture.
THE O.K GESTURE--In France it means zero. In Japan it means money or coins. In
Brazil, Germany, and the former USSR., it is obscene gesture.
THUMBS UP --Also used for hitch-hiking in American. In Nigeria a rude gesture. In
Australia, if pumped up and down is an obscene gesture. In Germany and Japan, the
signal for "one."
WHISTLING--Throughout Europe, whistling at public events is a signal of disapproval,
even derision.
NODDING AND SHAKING HEAD--Opposite meaning in Bulgaria, parts of Greece,
Yugoslavia, Turkey, Iran, and Bengal.